(KTLA) – Federal agents were involved in a shooting in Los Angeles County on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.
A spokesperson for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department told Nexstar’s KTLA that officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol were conducting immigration enforcement in the Willowbrook area when the shooting occurred. Per the spokesperson, calls regarding the gunfire came in at 7:20 a.m. PST.
It was around that time that the federal officers began pursuing an individual, but the chase ended in a collision in the 2400 block of 126th Street. That’s when shots rang out.
No one was struck by the gunfire, the spokesperson elaborated, but they were unable to confirm how many rounds were fired. They did verify, however, that an ambulance was not called to the scene.
“It was [not immediately known] if the individual’s vehicle crashed into other vehicles, was struck by a Border Patrol vehicle or crashed into something,” the spokesperson noted. “Sheriff’s deputies are not involved in the shooting [but they] are on scene maintaining a perimeter to keep the public away from the scene.”
Video posted to the Citizen App shows authorities had blocked off part of 126th for the investigation. Several unmarked SUVs, similar to those used by federal agents during immigration operations, were seen on the street.
KTLA’s Sky5 helicopter was over the scene and captured authorities investigating a BMW coupe that appeared to have sustained front-end damage.
Federal agents were involved in a shooting in Los Angeles County on Jan. 21, 2026, authorities confirmed. (Sky5/KTLA)
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said federal agents were “conducting a targeted operation” to arrest William Eduardo Moran Carballo, who they said was involved in a human smuggling operation and has two prior arrests for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
An immigration judge had issued him a final order of removal in 2019, according to the DHS statement.
“In a dangerous attempt to evade arrest, this criminal illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and rammed law enforcement. Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired defensive shots,” a DHS spokesperson explained. “[Moran Carballo] was not hit and attempted to flee on foot. He was successfully apprehended by law enforcement.”
While Moran Carballo was not injured, the DHS spokesperson said a CBP officer involved in the operation was; the extent of their injuries was not disclosed.
“This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming,” the spokesperson added.
The California Highway Patrol is handling the probe into the crash, and federal officials are investigating the shooting, the LASD spokesperson said.
Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.
